Anakbayan ‘scandalized’ by proposal to subsidize private universities

June 18, 2010

Youth group Anakbayan was scandalized today by the call of the Commission on Higher Education for the national government to subsidize private colleges and universities.

In a statement yesterday, CHED director Julito Vitriolo claimed that the national government must subsidize the above-mentioned educational institutions to prevent yearly increases in tuition and other fees. He further stated that private schools are ‘entitled to a return of investments’.

“Vitriolo should resign from his position and just designate himself as the spokesperson for private school owners, just to make it official. His bias against the students and parents is appalling. How did someone who is so ignorant of the concept of ‘education is a right’ ever get into such a high position in the CHED?” said Anakbayan national vice-chairperson Anton Dulce.

“The entire point of the public school system is to provide quality education to all, even the poorest of the poor. The government, using public funds, subsidizes fees that would normally prohibit the average anak ng mahirap from going to school.” he said.

The Anakbayan leader suggested that a better solution would be to improve the funding of SUCs (State Colleges and Universities) to the point where it can absorb as many students as possible while still maintaining high standards in instruction and facilities. With students rushing to improved SUCs, private schools will have no choice but to charge lower and fairer fees.

“It is a wise long-term investment, especially if we also combine it would a complete overhaul of the education system. Instead of grooming the youth to be exported as cheap labor, we could be turning them into experts that would aid the modernization of our agriculture and national industrialization.” said Dulce.

Meanwhile, he called on President-elect Noynoy Aquino to include the complete overhaul of the Commission among his priorities in his first 100 days in office.

“The present crop of CHED officials are obviously opposed to the vision of an education system that contributes to national development. Aside from immediately diverting emergency funds to SUCs, and pushing for the allocation of 6% of the GDP for the education budget in the coming budget deliberations, Noynoy must also clean out the leadership of the Commission.” he said.